A. juruensis/black-chin/Schwarzkinn compatibility question

[Linus_Cello]

So I was in the Newark NJ area this past weekend, and checked out Shark Aquarium (www.sharkaquarium.com/). Wow, great variety of cichlids (especially flowerhorns), large catfish, and piranha.

Anyway, as an impulse buy, I bought a male "A. jurensis" (though since it was only $6, and doesn't have blue lips, I'm guessing its probably a black-chin/Schwarzkinn). It is currently in a 12 gallon eclipse tank in quarrantine. (It was the only individual available, no females).

My question is which tank to put this apisto in? I have a 75g show tank with A. agassazi and A. borelli (and tetras and plecos). I also have a 56g show tank with tetras and plecos, and no cichilds. I was planning to put some A. cacatuoides in the 56g, if I could ever find some triple reds (or decently priced orange flash). Would the "juruensis" be ok in either tank? If it goes in the 56g, would it be ok if I got some cacatuoides for that tank eventually, or are they too similar? Is the "juruensis" too similar to the borelli for the 75g tank? The 75 g tank is heavily planted; the 56g not so heavily planted.

 

[Mike Wise]

Personally, I wouldn't add your Black-chin in with A. cacatuoies. They are so similar that aggression would likely occur. If the 75 is properly decorated, I see no problem adding it here. All 3 species are sufficiently different that extreme aggression is less likely. Just be sure that there is a territory where it can live peacefully.